Club 34 was founded in 1978 by Geneva Akers. It originated in Los Angeles and moved to Orange County a few years later. Since the early 1990’s, it has resided at the IHOP on Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach. It is one of the few FREE clubs in North America, certainly the friendliest, the fastest growing and I might add the ONLY Scrabble Club that I know of which meets for 2 sessions on the SAME day!!
The IHOP is one of the very rare locations that does not ask for a room rental fee. It has its own separate room away from the main dining room. But it is expanding rapidly and someday might reach out to the main dining area with the IHOP’s management’s blessings.
For years Penny Baker and Paul Trachtenberg directed the Club quite admirably. Admission was $2 and it was an evening Club only. Ten years ago Paul Trachtenberg came up with the brilliant idea to expand into an afternoon session and drop the admission fee.
In 2014, a new sheriff came into town. Dr. David Poder took over the reins from Mr. Trachtenberg with the unimaginable dream and expectations to develop Club 34 into the biggest and most exciting Scrabble Club in the world. Its membership has grown almost fourfold in just 4 short years. You might have seen 6 players at the IHOP on a Tuesday afternoon in 2013. Now you see 25 in 2018 with 12-15 in the evening. It also became a NASPA Club with its new leadership.
More exciting features are yet in store for Club 34. We hold an annual tournament, time to be announced by the Director. It is more for club morale, bragging rights and has some financial incentives. It has a small entry fee, all $$ are given back to membership and is divided into 3 divisions just for this tournament. It is an 8 game event held on 2 consecutive afternoon sessions.
The Director spends a lot of time developing new ideas and features for Club 34. I once was asked ‘How can I make a Scrabble Club exciting?’. It is not easy but I’m always thinking of new ideas and welcome membership to give me such ideas.
Club 34 is rapidly growing through its marketing ideas and there are many. But I always preach to the choir when I ask existing members to bring us friends and family. The fastest way to grow a Scrabble Club is from within. It’s happening. Stay tuned for future developments!!